Apple tunes in to podcast complaints

Apple has reportedly conducted a meeting with top podcasters to help determine the future of podcasting on its platform.

Podcasting remains a popular and highly relevant strand of media, with the most popular programmes capable of drawing in millions of listeners.

Apple has been instrumental in pushing the podcasting format to its current heights. Indeed, the word ‘podcasting’ itself is derived from Apple’s once ubiquitous media player, the iPod.

However, many podcasters feel that Apple simply isn’t doing enough to support the podcasting scene now that Apple has re-established itself as a major tech player.

A recent New York Times piece highlights the concern among podcasters that Apple simply doesn’t care all that much about a type of media its doesn’t directly profit from. Complaints include a lack of support from Apple when it comes to promoting a programme and a lack of data from the company with regard to listening figures and patterns.

Apple apparently responded last month by bringing seven top podcast professionals to its Cupertino HQ, where they aired their grievances to “a room full of employees.”

Apparently, Apple made no promises during this meeting, but there were frank discussions on the most pressing issues. What’s more, towards the end of the discussions, Apple executive Eddy Cue arrived for private talks with his team.

With Google recently adding podcast support to its Google Play Music offering, and Apple reportedly set to overhaul its flawed Apple Music service, could Apple’s podcasting software be set for some long overdue attention?

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What would you like to see from Apple with regard to podcasting? Let us know in the comments.